Cheap Date: May 9th
Cheap Date brings you the best purchasing options. Every Wednesday, we will give you a list of the best items coming out this week to spend your money on. To top it off, all for under $30.
Let’s get to it.
Comics – $13
Two of Marvel’s best comics are out this week in Uncanny X-Force #25 and Wolverine and the X-Men #10. Uncanny X-Force starts a new arc as Rick Remender cements his station as one of the best comic writers in the business. And in Wolverine and the X-Men, it features a Avengers vs. X-Men tie-in but this series is still one of the freshest takes on the merry band of mutants.
The Walking Dead #97 from Image Comics comes to shelves as it closes in on issue #100. Now Rick and company have to have a band of ruthless oppressors in order take control of the newly found supply lines.Walking Deadbecomes the best when it is human versus human with zombies as the backdrop.
Scott Snyder shows why he is one of the best in Batman #9 as the “Night of the Owls” storyline continues. Batman must defend Wayne Manor from an army of assassins after he nearly died defeated just one. Plus he is looking bad-ass in his new armored suit.
Games – Free-$7
Alright, this is a weird one. Valve has just released the “Perpetual Testing Initiative” DLC for Portal 2. With this DLC, you can create your own Portal puzzles to share with friends and challenge the community. I can not wait to see what comes out of this from the community. The DLC is free for the PC. But if you do not own Portal 2 yet (FOR SHAME!), the game is on sale on Steam for only $7 until tomorrow afternoon. Either way; get the game, play the game and create some new puzzles to share.
And that is is for this week. It is a light week, since no real game or movie releases that I care for. If you did not need to buy Portal 2, then you are under $20 which is awesome. See you next week for another installment of Cheap Date.
CYaN Podcast Episode 2: Shawarma
Another week and another new episode of the Call Yourself A Nerd podcast. In this episode Danny and Ricky will talk about new movie trailers, bad ideas in drinking, Black Op 2, the Walking Dead video game, the Avengers movie and many more things. I hope you have fun listening.
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Cheap Date: May 2nd
It is another Wednesday and another time to treat yourself to a Cheap Date.
Remember that I was recommend releases for this week that will cost you under $30. Thirty dollars for a week’s entertainment sounds like a good deal to me. Shall we begin?
Movies – $10
Let us cut to the chase. I am watching the Avengers tomorrow night at midnight and more than likely if you are reading this then you are wanting to watch this movie this weekend as well. Marvel Studios major project that they have worked on since 2008 with the release of Iron Man. They have brought back almost all major actors (replacing one soon to be raging Hulk) from each of their lead-up movies.
Joss Whedon has shown he can make some excellent TV series, but this will be the first time he has this big of an audience. But early reviews from around the world (the US for some odd reason is one of the last ones to receive this film) are absolutely glowing. I do not want to read to much into those, but if it is done as well as the other pre-Avengers movies then it should be a fun ride.
*BONUS*
If you are going to see Avengers this weekend, there is a chance to grab some extra swag. RealD is releasing special edition glasses for $5 each pair at theaters (I will probably go with the Hulk version). But remember; that means you have to upgrade your ticket to a 3D movie to use them then buy the glasses. So that will be $20 to watch the Avengers and it will also cut into my other recommendations. Your choice, of course.
Comics – $8
It is a light week in comics, but there are two comics that you can not miss. Plus they are both #1 issues!
Earth 2 #1 from DC Comics comes out this week. Every since the DC new 52, I have been anxious to see what has happened to the JSA. Apparently they are on Earth 2, an alternate reality where the Golden Age of Comics characters can grow old and change. Despite the cover, I am more interested in finding out what happened to Alan Scott and Jay Garrick.
Fury MAX #1from Marvel Comics brings us another helping of writer Garth Ennis and artist Goran Parlov. Where have you heard those names before? They both worked on thePunisher MAX series that recently ended. Now they have a mature look at Marvel’s top spy. Let the fun begin. Hell, Garth Ennis is the reason to read any of the Marvel MAX series.
Games – $5
You can grab Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead game on XBLA for five bucks or 400 imaginary money. This is a great deal if you are not sold on the game, which if you read my review you should be sold. If you were to buy it from Telltale’s webiste, they would charge you the $25 for all five episodes even though the last four are not out yet. This is a great point and click adventure game that I am sure will impress.
Hell, even if you are not sold (or dirt poor since watching Avengers in 3D and buying the special edition glasses); you can download the trial game before buying.
CYaN Podcast Episode 1: Going Nuclear
Welcome to the very first episode of the Call Yourself A Nerd podcast. In this episode Danny and Ricky will talk about new movie trailers, Marvel Comics’ movies, Sony All Star Battle Royale, Halo 4, Spider-Men, and many more things. I hope you all enjoy it.
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Review: The Walking Dead Episode 1
Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead just came out this week on various platforms. I played the PC version of the game using Steam. I have been a fan of Telltale Games for some time and would not miss their interpretation of a game for a favorite comic series. You can buy the game episodically (5 episodes to the game) or just plunk down the money for the entire game and wait. Either way, you’re going to spend $25 for the experience. I finished the first episode, titled “A New Day,” in a little over two hours. For five dollars, not a bad use of my time.
The game follows Lee Everett, a man on his way to prison before the zombie apocalypse we all know is coming. He eventually finds a small girl named Clementine who he decides to protect in this new world. I am not spoiling anything here, most of this has already been revealed by Telltale. Also you might as well know that these events happen before Rick Grimes wakes up in the comic book series, or TV show if you are so inclined. Knowing that, you get to run into a few people that will play important roles in the comic book series. The characters showcased excellently. Glenn is still the hero we know he tries to be, Hershel is as straight forward as we respect him to be.
The game follows a lot of the adventure game tropes that Telltale is known for, but they decide to throw in some action with the zombies. Simply; you find items and used them to aid you in the world (try figuring out how to use a pillow in the zombie apocalypse). Then Telltale throws some interesting loopholes: decision-making. Most dialogues will have options to pick from, the kicker though is that these options are timed and can decide how others perceive you. Then there are a half-dozen big decisions to make, obvious one would be who to save during a zombie attack. To throw more tension into fighting, the game has some quick time events not to mention forcing you to align head shots during point-and-click sections. These moments can cause you to die! I know, I have died (yes, I am a terrible player to die in an adventure game).
Either way, this is a good buy. The game is fun and exciting with an interesting story. You do not have to be a fan of adventure games to enjoy this one.
Rating : 4/5
Cheap Date: April 25th
Being a nerd gets to be expensive. Comics are $3-4 usually, going to the movies are moving past the ten-dollar mark and of course video games are costing you a whooping sixty dollars plus tax. In this weekly article, I will show you what to buy on this nerdy Cheap Date.
Wednesdays are great days to make these purchasing decisions. Comic books are released today. Most physical media (video games, DVDs or CDs) have come out the day before. And in a couple of days the new movies are opening in theaters.
Now let us see what we can get this week, which I am aiming for under $30.
Comics – $9
I know it is always hard to cut down on your stack, but this is the biggest money-eater. God forbid if they actually had good weekly comics, all the time. Anyway, there are only three books you need to buy this week.
Daredevil #11 from Marvel is the conclusion to the “Omega Effect” crossover. The interaction between Daredevil, Punisher, Spider-Man and “Punishette” is beyond priceless. Spider-Man’s mouth moves all on its own.
American Vampire #26 and the New Deadwardians #2 from Vertigo. Snyder is an excellent writer and I have decided to pick up all his books up on principle, this includes American Vampire. I have yet to go wrong with Snyder (why do I feel like I just jinxed something?). Yes New Deadwardians is a another vampire book, but also another zombie book. The dichotomy of the comic set in a Victorian period had been an interesting read. It is an eight-issue run, so should be worth the time.
Movies – $10
To be honest, there are two movies you could catch this weekend. I will start with the one I pick, The Pirates! Band of Misfits. I have always been a fan of Aardman Animations and Wallace and Gromit. This movie should be a fun show for kids, big and small. Plus I am a sucker for traditional animation.
Then there is Five-Year Engagement with Jason Segel and Emily Blunt. It is hyped as part of the Bridesmaids styling. I must admit that I caught Bridesmaids much later, out of theater and really did not like it. But I like the cast and they have not let me down yet. Can not hurt that they have my latest “Hollywood girlfriend,” Alison Brie, in the movie.
Games – at least $2
The Indie Gala just went on sale and the latest Humble Bundle is still active. To those new, these indie bundles are pay-what-you-want for a couple of indie games available on the PC and sometimes Mac. You can decided where the money goes to developers, organizers or it can all go to charity! But here is the kicker, if you pay above the average then you get some extra games. Either way, you get a few games for a lot less than they retail. I really recommend playing Machinarium. It is a fun, puzzle/adventure game with a great art style.
For under thirty bucks you get three great comics, to watch a new movie in theaters and a whole bunch of games for the PC. Check it out and let me know if this was worth the money for you.
Hi, I’m Danny
Now is the time to introduce myself, I guess. Let me start by saying…
Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!
A simple way to say hello. Of course, the quote comes from the Jim Carrey classic, The Truman Show. Isn’t it funny how short lines from films or books can express a lot of meaning. I am nowhere near as good of a writer to throw down some unforgettable personal quote to show the world all the crass that I have to offer. But leading off with a quote shows you, the reader, more about myself. I enjoy using written or spoken quotes to help define the thought I have.
The quotes come from a cornucopia of sources. I grew up reading comics and have yet to give it up. Hell, I have yet to grow up, and I still enjoy the cartoons of today. Most of my learning experiences came from the movie screen. And the hand-eye coordination I have come from excelling at video games. (Note from Ricky: Cocky much?)
I am a nerd, a dork, a dweeb. Whatever you want to call me. I am obsessive over pop culture (thank god there are wikis). I enjoy being a kid inside an adult body. I wear goofy t-shirts and enjoy my slippers that look like Mickey Mouse feet. I still marathon game with friends. I am even anticipating my next chance to play some Risk Legacy.
Beyond enjoying the fantasy of it all, I am in love with the mythology. When I was little, I enjoyed the mythologies. Anytime that would be brought up in school, I got excited. The fantastic thing about mythology is that it is ever-present today. We may not have gods playing with the seasons, but we still have the ideas that inspire and frighten us. Instead of flying with Helios as he rides across the sky in his fiery chariot, today we fly with Superman as he saves the day. Instead of wondering how Osiris will judge us in the afterlife, we fear Freddy Krueger with his nightmares.
Long story short: I like a lot of stuff and those interests often influence me. I would like to share my interests and their influences. Enjoy!
Call Yourself A Nerd 